Volume control for musical instruments



2&7 L LUBERQFF VOLUME CONTROL FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Original Filed July 8, 1955 '2 SheetS-Sheet l L. LUERQFF VOLUME CONTROL FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 2 sheets-sheet 2 Original Filed July 8, 1935.

gmc/Wim Patented Apr. 28, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VOLUME CONTROL FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Application July 8, 1935, Serial No. 30,335 Renewed December 17, 1935 12 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the volume of sound from a loud speaker.

An object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for controlling the volume of selfplaying musical instruments in which a jack is reciprocated for causing progressive rocking of an element which moves an arm successively over an adjustable resistance for increasing the volume by way of the amplier of a loud speaker while a second jack is reciprocated for rocking the member in an opposite direction for decreasing the volume.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for controlling the volume of a loud speaker connected with an automatic musical instrument in which the usual swells are produced automatically when predeterminately positioned perforations in the player roll align with certain holes in the usual tracker bar of the instrument whereby a pair of jacks are cooperatively reciprocated either electrically or pneumatically and under the control of a device which is affected by the alignment of the perforations, the jacks operating as pawls upon teeth of a rotatable member which in turn causes the usual arm of an adjustable resistance to move over said resistance for controlling the volume of a loud speaker through the amplifier, the rotatable member also moving a switch arm for progressively closing circuits to solenoids which control the closing or opening of shutters on the loud speaker when the adjustable resistance is cut out, the volume being also controlled by the combined action of the adjustable resistance and the shutters.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus for controlling the volume of sound from a loud speaker, the apparatus being controlled automatically by a self-playing musical instrument in which a rotatable member is adapted to be rocked in either direction from a common point whereby the volume of the loud speaker is varied through an amplifier and an adjustable resistance actuated by the rotatable member, the volume being also controlled by a plurality of shutters, which are progressively closed in accordance with the movement of a switch arm connected with the rotatable member for closing circuits in sequence including solenoids which either directly operate the shutters or control the flow of air to bellows attached to the shutters.

This invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description, in view of the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification; nevertheless, it is to be understood that the invention is not conned to the disclosure, being susceptible of such changes and modications as define no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l shows a fragmentary View in elevation and partly in section of an arrangement for controlling the volume of the loud speaker substantally pneumatically.

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a circuit closer operated pneumatically from the tracker bar, and

Figure 4 shows more or less diagrammatically an arrangement, partly in elevation, for electrically controlling the volume of the sound of a loud speaker.

Referring more particularly to the drawings it will be seen that the volume of the loud speaker is either controlled directly or electrically through the amplifying unit or the volume may be controlled electrically or pneumatically for progressively closing shutters on the loud speaker.

Referring more particularly to Figure 1 of the drawings, I generally designates a console of a self-playing musical instrument such as an organ of the wind or electronic type. The musical instrument may also be a self-playing piano. The console includes the usual tracker bar I I having holes I2 and I3 over which a perforated player roll I4 is adapted to be moved, the roll being carried by means of reels I5 and I6. The roll is also provided with a number of perforations or slots but only two perforations I'I and I8 will be selected as examples since they cooperate with the holes I2 and I3 in the tracker bar for the particular purpose of this invention.

A plurality of control boxes is included in a single housing, generally designated by the numeral 2U. The box is divided into two independent sections and each section has a suction chamber 2i which is placed in communication with the usual suction pump (not shown) by means of a pipe 22. The chamber 2| is connected by means of a flexible tube 23 with the hole I2 in the tracker bar I I. A diaphragm 24 forms the top of the chamber 2i and isolates said chamber from a second chamber 25. The diaphragm is urged outwardly by means of a coil spring 26 located at one side of the diaphragm and an insulated block 21 is secured to the inner face of the diaphragm. A stationary Contact 30 is secured in a side wall of the control box and has its outer end connected with a source of current, as shown at 3|. A movable contact 32 is adapted to engage the stationary contact when the spring 26 is permitted to force the diaphragm outwardly causing the insulating block 21 to move the movable contact 30 into engagement with the stationary contact. A wire 33 leads from the movable contact 32 from an exterior binding post 34.

The other section of the control box 20 also has a suction pipe |44 connected with a suction chamber similar to the one indicated at 2| and a ilexible tubing 35 extends from this suction chamber to the tracker bar and is placed in communication with the hole I3. A wire 36 extends from a second movable contact to a solenoid for a purpose which will be presently explained.

A jack 40 is slidably mounted in guides 4| and 42 and these guides may be secured to a fixed part of the console of the self-playing musical instrument, The outer end of the jack is provided with a pawl 43. A spring 44 having one end connected at 45 to the jack and the other end to the guide 42a, is adapted to maintain the jack in its lowermost position for a purpose which will be presently explained.

'I'he jack 40 is provided with a shoulder 46 adapted to be engaged by a movable member 41 of a bellows, generally designated by the numeral 48. The other member 49 of the bellows is maintained in a stationary position and to which a flexible tubing 50 is connected for supplying air under pressure directly to the bellows. The movable member 41 of the bellows is provided with a weight 5| which cooperates with the spring 44 to return the movable member to an inoperative position.

A box 52 for controlling the supply of wind to the bellows 48 may be also mounted within the console. The box is provided with a central air chamber 53 and a pipe 54 which is connected with a blower and is in communication with the chamber 53. A discharge chamber 55 is formed in the wall 56 of the box 52 and has one end adapted to be placed in communication with the chamber 53 while the opposite or outer end is adapted to be placed in communication with the atmosphere.

A rod 51 extends across the chamber 53 and through the chamber 55. A valve 58 is secured to the rod 51 and is adapted to engage the inner face of the wall 56 of the box 52 for cutting off communication between the chambers 53 and 55. A valve 59 is also secured to the rod 51 in spaced relation with the valve 58 and located exteriorly of the box 52. This valve is adapted to engage the outer face of the wall 56 for closing communication between the chamber 55 and the atmosphere when the valve 58 isopened. On the other hand when the valve 58 is closed the valve 59 is opened.

The opposite wall 60 of the box 52 is provided with an air pocket 6| in which is located a spring 62 pressing outwardly against a block 64 connected to a diaphragm 65 which in turn is sealed to the inner face of the wall 6D for isolating the pocket 6| from the chamber 53. It will be noted that the threaded rod 51 passes through the diaphragm 65 and through the block 64 to which it is secured. The spring 62 tends to maintain the diaphragm inwardly towards the chamber 53 except when the air pressure in the chamber 53 is sufficient to overcome the spring 62. rIhe pocket 6I is provided with a bleed 66 which leads through an opening in the bottom 61 of the box.

It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the box 52 is provided with a pair of chambers, one indicated at 53 and the other at 63 for a purpose which will be presently explained. A solenoid l0 extends through an opening 1| in the bottom 61 and is connected with the wire 33 and is also connected with the ground 33a. The solenoid 13 is mounted on a plate 12 which is secured to the bottom 61 or" the box 52 in such a manner that the chamber is sealed agai .st the escape of air. For this purpose a gasket 13 is placed between the plate on the underface oi the bottom 61. Extending from the plate is a barrel 14 having a chamber 'l5 which is in communication with the bleed 66 and a discharge conduit i6 in a closure cap 1l is adapted to place the chamber 15 in communication with the atmosphere. A valve 18 which normally rests upon a seat 19 at the inner end of the conduit 16 is in the form of an armature which is adapted to be elevated from its seat when current is passed through the solenoid 10, whereby the pocket 6| is then placed in communication with the atmosphere.

A second jack 3|] is slidably mounted in guides [2| and B2 and the jack 89 is normally disposed at an angle to the jack 46 with the pawl 43 ol the jack 4U located in close association with a pawl 83 of the jack 88. A spring 84 has one end connected at B5 to the jack 80 while the other end, as shown at 86, is connected to a fixed point on the console.

A bellows, generally designated by the numeral 81, has a movable member 88 and a fixed member 89. A pipe 98 connects the interior of the bellows 81 with a chamber 9| formed in the wall 56 of the box 52, in the same manner as the pipe 50 5 connects the interior of the bellows "lil with the chamber 55.

A rotatable member 92 is mounted upon a shaft 93 and this rotatable member is provided with a series of teeth 94, 95, and 9S .and a series of teeth 91, 98, and 99. It will be noted that one series is located at one side of a vertical passing through the axis of the rotatable member 92 while the other series is located on the other side so that the pawl 43 will engage the teeth 94 to 96, inclusive, while the pawl 83 will engage the teeth 91 to 99, inclusive.

An adjustable resistance, generally designated by the numeral |89, includes a movable arm IGI pivoted at le? and connected by a link ill3 with an eccentric pin |04 on the rotatable member 92. As the rotatable member is rocked the arm I9! moves over the resistance for reducing or increasing the current to an amplifier' 258 which controls a loud speaker |35 by means of the connections with the wires |06, |01, |66.

A lter 25| is illustrated diagrammatically in connection with the amplier 259 and the three wires |06, |531, and 98 are generally employed to provide connections between the resistance |96, the filter, and the loud speaker. The iilter in this instance, however, forms no part of the present invention.

The various musical tones produced through the operation of the automatic musical instrument through the intermediary of the tracker bar and the perforated rcll i4 are picked up by a microphone (not shown) in a well known manner. The microphone is connected to an amplifier (not shown) of any well known type and the loud speaker is controlled in turn by the ampliiier. A plurality of periorations are shown in the tracker' bar in Figs. l and 4 which are in addition to the perforations |2 and |3 of Figure l, and the perforations |6| and |61 of Figure 4. Additional perforations in the roll are adapted to align with additional perforations in the tracker bar for causing operation of the keys automatically instead of manually, as is well known in the art. The usual suction pipes are connected with each of these perforations in Fig. 1 or a plurality of wires are connected with contacts in the perporations in the tracker bar as shown in Figure 4 for setting in motion th-e usual mechanism of an electronic musical instrument wherein synthetic tones are produced. The method of operating these instrumentalities for causing the musical tones may be of various types.

A switch arm II6 is connected by an insulating member to the rotatable member 62 and is adapted to engage an adjustable stop II2 at one side of the vertical passing through the axis of the rotatable member and also an adjustable stop II 3 at the other side of the vertical. lThe movable contact member I I0 is connected by a wire i|4 with a source of current H5 which is grounded at I I 6.

A plurality of elongated contacts II?, IIB, and IIS are respectively connected by wires |26, I2I, and |22, with solenoids |2332 |243, and |252. These solenoids are associated with boxes i23, |24, and similar to that shown at 52 which contain the central air pressure chamber and the valves 58 and 59 for controlling the flow of air to the respectivev bellows |26, |21, and |28. These bellows are directly connected with shutters |36, I3I, and |32 by links |26.

The jacks 46 and 85 are not only aided in their return by the respective springs 44 and 64 but by the weight of the jacks. These jacks are limited in their downward movement by means of pins |35 which engage with the respective guides 4I and 8|.

A solenoid i3'I projects through an opening 36 'in the bottom 61 of the box 52 and is maintained in position by a plate |39 which also has a de- ?pending barrel |46 closed by a screw cap MI. The solenoid, barrel, and its associated parts are identical in construction with the solenoid 25, the barrel 'I4 and its associated parts. The ilexible tubing leads to a second vacuum chamber in the control box 26 for closing a switch which includes a contact |42 and the wire 36 leading to the solenoid |31. A stationary contact |53 is connected with a source of current 3|.

A suction pipe |44 is connected to the same suction pump or vacuum tank to which the pipe 22 is connected for causing movement in one direction of a diaphragm similar to the diaphragm 24 in Fig. 1 in the other section of the box 26 for closing a circuit to the solenoid |31. The threaded rod 5'I is provided with a guide which is connected to the wall 56 of the box 52. A threaded rod I5I is similarly constructed and arranged in a similar position. as is the rod 5'I and the instrumentality associated with the chamber 63 is identical in all respects with the instrumentality for controlling the valves 58 and 59 associated with the chamber 56. It is, therefore, believed that a description of one will sufce as a description of the other.

The operation of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, is as follows: Whenever one of the perforations or holes Il in the player roll passes over a hole I2 in the tracker bar |I, air from the atmosphere rushes into the vacuum chamber 2| whereby the vacuum is broken and the spring 26 will force the diaphragm 24 outwardly causing the movable contact 32 to engage the xed contact 36, thereby closing the circuit to the solenoid 10. The closure of this circuit creates a magnetic force in the member 'I0 whereby the armature-Valve 'I8 will be raised, thus opening the passage 66 and the pocket 6I to the atmosphere.

Pressure in the chamber 53 and likewise in the chamber 63 is such that it can be overcome by the combined action of the spring 62, the valve 58 and resistance of the air in the pocket 6I when the valve 18 is closed. As soon as the valve 'I8 is opened and the pocket 6I is placed in communication with the atmosphere, the diferential pressure on the valve 58 and the diaphragm 65 will cause the diaphragm to be moved to the right in Fig. 1 against the tension of the spring 62 and thus force some of the air out of the pockets 6I. The valve 58 at this time is then opened and the valve 59 is closed so that the air under pressure from chamber 53 will flow through pipe 56 into the bellows 4S, thus raising the jack 45 and causing the pawl 43 to engage the first tooth S4 on the rockable member 92 and when the jack has been moved to its outermost limit the rockable member 92 will have revolved through a predetermined angle.

The action of the pawl 43, however, is only momentary since the perforation I'I in the roll I 4 passes beyond the hole I 2 in the tracker bar whence the circuit to the solenoid 'l5 will be broken and the valve 'I8 will then return to its i seat closing the pocket 6I to the atmosphere. The air in the pocket 6I in connection with the spring 62 tends to move the diaphragm 65 inwardly of the chamber 53 and this movement of the diaphragm is aided by the pressure on the valve 58 since the combined action of the air pressure on the valve 58, the spring 62 and the air in the chamber 6I overcomes the pressure on the diaphragm 65. It will be seen from Fig. l that the valve 53 is moved away from its respective end of the chamber and the air in the bellows 48 will bleed through the pipe 55 to the atmosphere so that the bellows will lthen return to its normal inoperative position and the spring 44 will move the jack 45 and likewise the pawl 43 away from its engagement with the tooth 64.

The angular movement of the rotatable member 92 causes the arm IUI to move over the adjustable resistance |00 so that a greater amount or current will pass to the amplifier (not shown) and thus increase the volume of the loud speaker |65.

It will be seen that only three teeth have been provided at each side of the axis of the rotatable member 92 but any number may be employed for the purpose and a corresponding number of perforations I 'I will be provided in the player roll I4. Each time that a perforation I'I in the roll passes the hole I2 in the tracker bar the jack 40 will be operated, whereby another tooth will be engaged and the rotatable member will be rocked through a predetermined degree until the final one is reached, whereby the full amount of current will pass through the ampliiier.

The perforations I8 in the player roll passing over the holes 33 in the tracker bar will cause reciprocation of the jack 8G by substantially the same kind of instrumentalities as are employed for shifting the jack 40. The number of teeth 9'! to 9S, inclusive, may also be increased as may be necessary or desired.

In conjunction with the control of the current passing to the amplifier there is also provided a plurality of shutters |30 to |32, inclusive, and these shutters are opened progressively when the contact or switch bar |0 engages successively the curved contacts ||1, ||8, and ||9. As has been stated the members |23 to |25, inclusive, are substantially identical in construction with the box 52 and its incorporated devices for controlling the flow of air to the bellows 41 and 88. As the circuits are closed to the solenoids |23 to |25, inclusive, a valve similar to the air Valve 13 is opened so that the differential action between the valves 58 and 59 and the diaphragm in connection with the spring 62 and air in the pockets 6| will control the ow of air under pressure to the respective bellows |26 to |28, inclusive. These bellows are mounted directly on the air chambers and links |29 connect the bellows directly with the respective shutters |30 to |32, inclusive.

The shutters |39 to |32 may be employed in cooperation with the adjustable resistance |00 or they may be employed solely as the means for controlling the volume from the loud speaker. On the other hand, the variable resistance may be used as the sole control for the volume. However, there are conditions where it is advisable to use both controls in a single unit.

In Fig. 4 is shown more or less diagrammatically an arrangement by which the automatic control of the volume is had by an electric systern.

In this form a tracker bar |60 is provided with spring-pressed points |6| which normally press against the inner surface of the player roll |62 until a perforation |638L arrives at the point |6| when the same will project through the perforation and close the circuit to a solenoid |63 by means of wires |64, |65, the wire |65 being connected with a source of current |66.

A spring-pressed point |61 incorporated in the tracker bar |50 is adapted to project through a perforation |60 in the roll |62 whereby a switch (not shown) is closed, closing the circuit to a solenoid |69 through wires |10, l1 I, and |65.

When the solenoid |63 is energized an armature core |12 is -actuated for raising a lever |13 which engages a pin |14 on a jack |15 mounted in a guide |16.

When the circuit to the solenoid |69 is closed the core |30 is actuated for raising a jack |83 through a pin |82 reciprocating the jack mounted in a guide |84.

The jack |15 is provided with a pawl |95 adapted to engage successively teeth |86 to |08 on a rockable member 92a mounted on the shaft $3,

The jack |83 has a pawl |90 adapted to engage successively teeth |9| to |93 formed on the rotatable member 92a at the opposite side of a vertical passing through the axis of the rotatable member. Since the adjustable resistance |00 and the switch composed of the elements |00, |E1, H3, and ||9 are identical with the construction shown in Fig. l these elements will not be described.

A series of solenoids 200, 20|, 202 are connected with the respective contacts |1 to |9, inclusive, and the cores 203 of these solenoids are directly connected with shutters 204, 205, 206 of the loud speaker |05@ The operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4 is substantially identical with that of the arrangement disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, except that the jacks are periodically reciprocated by means of the solenoids |63 and |69 while the circuits to these solenoids are closed by means of the points or pins projecting through the perforations |63n or |68.

I claim:

1. In a self-playing musical instrument having a tracker bar and a player roll provided with perforations, the combination of a plurality of jacks, means causing reciprocation of the jacks, means caused to be actuated when a perforation in the roll aligns with a perforation in the tracker' bar for controlling the reciprocating means, a switch element progressively actuated in opposite directions by alternately reciprocated jacks, a plurality of contacts adapted to be progressively engaged by the switch element for closing a plurality of circuits, a loud speaker provided with a plurality of dampers adapted to be opened or closed for controlling the sound output of the speaker, means in each circuit and operatively connected with a damper for causing successive opening of the dampers when the respective circuits are closed.

2. In a self-playing musical instrument having a tracker bar and a player-roll provided with perforations, the combination of a plurality of slidably mounted jacks, means causing reciprocation of the jacks, means caused to be actuated when a perforation in the roll aligns with a perforation in the tracker bar for controlling the reciprocating means, a rockable means adapted to be operated progressively in either direction i by the jacks, an amplifier for a loud speaker, a circuit including the amplifier, an adjustable resistance in the circuit and including an arm movable over said resistance, means connecting the arm with the rockable means so that when the rockable means is actuated the ampliiier will be controlled for modifying the loud speaker.

3. In a self-playing musical instrument having a tracker bar and a player roll provided with perforations, the combination of a loud speaker, a plurality of slidably mounted jacks, a bellows each operatively connected with a jack, means for supplying air to the bellows, means controlled by a perforation in the roll passing over a perforation in the tracker bar for causing actuation of air supplying means, Aa rockable means, means actuated by the rockable means for progressively controlling the volume of sound from the loud speaker, cooperating means on the jack and rockable means for operating the rockable means when the jacks are reciprocated in either direction of rotation.

4. In a self-playing musical instrument having a tracker bar and a player roll provided with perforations, the combination of a loud speaker,

of means for progressively controlling the volume of sound from the loud speaker and comprising a pair of slidably mounted jacks, a bellows operatively associated with each jack for causing reciprocation of the respective jack, a wind chamber for each bellows, a tube connecting each chamber with its respective bellows, means controlled by a perforation in the roll aligning with a perforation in the tracker bar for selectively causing the release of air from a chamber to its respective bellows, rockable means actuated in either direction by the jacks, dempers on the loud speaker, means set in operation by the rockable means for causing closing or opening of said dempers.

5. In a self-playing musical instrument having a tracker' bar and a player-roll provided with perforations, the combination of a loud speaker, a pair of slidably mounted jacks, means for reciprocating the jacks, means for causing the reciprocating means to be set in action when a certain perforation in the roll aligns with a perforation in the tracker bar, a rockable member having a series of teeth at each side of the axis of the member, the jacks having pawls adapted to successively engage the teeth, means for progressively controlling the volume of sound from the loud speaker and connected for operation with the rockable means, one of the pawls engaging one series of the teeth for progressively rocking the rockable member for causing an increase in the volume, the other paWls rocking the member in an opposite direction and causing a decrease in the volume of sound.

6. In a self-playing musical instrument having a tracker bar and a player roll provided with periorations, the combination of a plurality of jacks, a rotatable member having a series of teeth upon opposite sides of a diameter, the jacks being so arranged that the free end of one jack being adapted to engage successively one series of teeth While the free end of the other jack being adapted to engage successively the other series of teeth so that the rotatable member may be rocked progressively in opposite directions, means for progressively varying the volume of sound from a loud speaker, an electrical means operated in opposite directions by the rotatable member for progressively actuating the last-mentioned means, and means selectively set in motion when a perforation in the roll registers with a perforation in the tracker bar for causing reciprocation of one of the jacks.

7. In a self-playing musical instrument having a tracker bar and a player roll provided With perforations, the combination of a pair of slidab1ymounted jacks, a rotatable member, cooperative engaging means on the jacks and rotatable member for causing rocking in opposite directions when the jacks are reciprocated, a loud speaker, means for varying the volume of sound from said speaker and actuated by the rotatable member, a bellows associated with each jack for reciprocating said jacks, means for selectively supplying Wind to each bellows, means for controlling the Wind supplying means When a certain perforation in the roll registers with a predeterminedly positioned perforation in the tracker bar.

8. In a self-playing musical instrument having a tracker bar and a player roll provided with perforations, the combination of a loud speaker, an adjustable resistance including an oscillatable arm for controlling the volume of sound from the speaker, means for oscillating the arm, a pair of bellows for actuating the oscillating means, means for supplying air to the bellows and including a Wind box, a tube connecting the box with a bellows, a valve for releasing air to the tube, and means set in motion when a perforation` in the roll coincides with a perforation in the tracker bar for causing opening of the valve.

9. In a self-playing musical instrument having a tracker bar and a player roll provided With perforations, the combination of a loud speaker, a rotatable member having a series of teeth on the periphery thereof at each side of the axis of said member, a pair of jacks located at an angle to each other so that the free end of one jack will be in a position to engage one series of teeth and the free end of the other jack will engage the other series of teeth, means for reciprocating each jack independently of the other so that the teeth Will be engaged progressively by the jacks for rocking the rotatable member in opposite directions, means for varying the volume of sound from the loud speaker and including means rocked in opposite directions by the rotatable member, and means caused to be set in motion When a perforation in the roll aligns With a perforation in the tracker bar.

y10. In a device of the type described having a loud speaker, amplifier, tracker bar, and perforated roll, a resistance-varying means actuated by the movement of the roll over the tracker bar, means for operating said resistance-varying means progressively and proportionately to the number of perforations encountered, and means associated With the amplifier for varying the volume When the resistance is varied.

l1. In a device of the type described having a loud speaker, amplier, tracker bar, and perforated roll, a rheostat having a movable arm, means actuated by the movement of the roll over the tracker bar for shifting said movable arm progressively and proportionately to the number of perforations encountered, and means associated with the amplifier for varying the volume when the arm is shifted.

l2. In a device of the class described having a loud speaker, tracker bar, and perforated roll, a rheostat having a movable arm, means actuated by the movement of the roll over the tracker bar for shifting the arm in a step by step movement for each perforation encountered, and means associated With the amplifier for varying the volume proportionately to the number of said step by step movements.

LOUIS LUBEROFF. 

